The 2024 musical adaptation of 'Mean Girls,' a film beloved by a massive fanbase, was released two decades after its mid-noughties chick flick classic predecessor, immediately facing the challenging risk of unforgiving backlash. This proved to be a significant hurdle, as the new production, despite its musical twist, was met with strong criticism from both fans and critics who felt it failed to reach the high bar set by the original, often cited as the best of its genre. The intense comparisons were a defining factor in its initial reception.

However, when 'Mean Girls' (2024) is evaluated on its own merits, it presents several positive aspects. Directed by Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr., with a screenplay by Nell Benjamin and original creator Tina Fey, the film features strong performances from its cast. Angourie Rice stars as Cady Heron, the new student navigating the treacherous social landscape of high school, while Reneé Rapp delivers a commanding portrayal of the conniving queen bee Regina George. The ensemble also includes Christopher Briney as Aaron Samuels, Bebe Wood as Gretchen, Avantika as Karen, Auli'i Cravalho as Janis, and Jaquel Spivey as Damian. The film's catchy musical numbers further contribute to its unique identity as a musical comedy.

The narrative follows Cady Heron as she is initially welcomed into "The Plastics," the elite and popular clique ruled by Regina George and her loyal minions Gretchen and Karen. However, Cady's major misstep of falling for Regina's ex-boyfriend, Aaron Samuels, swiftly places her in Regina's crosshairs. Enlisting the help of her outcast friends Janis and Damian, Cady devises a plan to dismantle the group's social hierarchy. Throughout this journey, Cady must learn to stay true to herself while navigating the cutthroat environment of high school.

Commercially, the 2024 'Mean Girls' achieved significant success against its production budget, grossing over $100 million worldwide, nearly tripling its reported $36 million cost. Despite this, it fell short of its predecessor's box office performance. The 2004 original, which earned $130 million globally ($86 million domestically and $44 million from overseas markets), maintained a powerful legacy, despite not making it into the list of the 40-highest-grossing movies of its release year. The 2024 film, which premiered on January 12, 2024, will be available for streaming on Netflix starting December 5, offering viewers the opportunity to form their own opinions on this controversial adaptation.